Berks & Beyond Blog

Take a bite out of summer by attending one of these southern Pennsylvania events:

Wine & Cheese Seminar & Tasting at Hummingbird Ridge Winery

When: Friday, July 8th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Where: 735 Kise Mill Rd., York Haven

Grab a group of friends and enjoy an evening of wine and cheese.  The event features five courses of premium cheeses from around the world paired with five delicious wines, plus an educational seminar by Hummingbird Ridge Winery Winemakers!  The seminar agenda includes the following topics:

• Unwrapping the Mysteries of Winemaking
• Winetasting Techniques Used by Wine Judges
• Wine Glass Comparison
• Techniques for Pairing Wine and Food

Cost is just $20 per person. Seating is limited and reservations are required. For reservations, call Brenda at 717.818.7473.

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The 62nd Annual Kutztown Folk Festival

When: July 2 – 10, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Where: Kutztown Fairgrounds, 225 N. White Oak St., Kutztown

There’s still time to enjoy this Pennsylvania Dutch tradition!  The festival promises good old-fashioned fun for the whole family:

• Continuous entertainment on 5 stages everyday
• Watch square dancing, catch a comedy show or enjoy the sounds of the strolling Sauerkraut Band
• Mennonite wedding and demonstrations of early farming techniques
• Live quilt auction
• Great food, including all-you-can-eat Pennsylvania Dutch ham and chicken dinners, a variety of home-made soups, sandwiches, and favorites such as sausage, chicken pot pie, corn fritters, funnel cakes, shoo-fly pie and apple dumplings
• Crafts, games and other kid-friendly activities

Daily Admission: Adults $14, senior citizens(55 & older) $13, junior (13-17) $5, all-week pass $24, children (12 & under) are free.

For more information, visit the Kutztown Festival website or call 888.674.6136.

Admittedly, we’ve had more than our fair share of bad weather in Central and Southern Pennsylvania this season.  But we can’t let a little sleet and sub-freezing temperatures get us down, right? 

When winter is at its worst, I always look for something fun and different to do.  Here is a sampling of great local Reading events I learned about that are coming up over the next few weeks:

ANNUAL PHILLIES WINTER BANQUET

DATE & TIME:  Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 5:30pm

LOCATION:  Crowne Plaza Reading Hotel, 1741 Papermill Road, Wyomissing, 19610

TICKET PRICE:  $65/ticket

PHONE:  610-370-BALL

DETAILS:  Calling all Phillies and R-Phils fans!  Major League Baseball and Reading Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, Philadelphia Phillies Assistant General Manager Scott Proefrock, television play-by-play voice of the 2010 National League East champion Philadelphia Phillies Tom McCarthy and 2010 Eastern League All-Star Matt Rizzotti are among the distinguished guests who will appear.  The event will begin at 5:30pm with a cocktail hour, and will feature prizes, autographs, highlight videos, dinner and more.  As in past years, the event will also serve as the annual King of Baseballtown fundraiser.

For more details, please visit the Reading Phillies’ website. 

“LIFE’S A BEACH,” THE WORLD OF SEA SHELLS EXHIBIT

DATE & TIME:  Opening Reception on Friday, January 28th, 5:30-8:30pm

LOCATION:  Reading Public Museum, 500 Museum Road, Reading, 19611

TICKET PRICE:  $25 members / $35 non-members

PHONE:  610.371.5850 x264

DETAILS:  Bring the beach to you in January!  Enjoy live steel drum music while sipping on tropical inspired drinks.  Light hors d’oeuvres will be served.  Beach blankets allowed!  Bring some friends, escape the winter blues and join us for some summer fun.  This spectacular exhibit of “The World of Sea Shells: Jewels of the Ocean” will be on display through June 5, 2011. 

For more details please visit the Reading Public Museum website. 

SHIVER BY THE RIVER WINTER SERIES 10K & 5K

DATE & TIME:  Sunday, February 6th, 2011, 11:00 a.m.

LOCATION:  Jim Dietrich Park, in Muhlenberg Township

TICKET PRICE:  $40 for series / $15 per race on race day

DETAILS:  It’s SHIVER time.  The Pagoda Pacer’s Athletic Club presents a low key, no frills winter race series.  Indoor registration, mile markers, time splits at most miles, a wheel measured course, instant results and a wonderful post race buffet of such things as hot soup, bagels – and M&Ms.  Race series shirts for sale day of race (while they last).

Both 5k and 10k races start at same time and place; 10k runners do the loop twice.  Male and female winners and 1st & 2nd runner-ups of each 5k and 10k receive awards.

For more information, visit the Pagoda Pacers’ website.

Thanksgiving break is just around the corner.  What do you and your family have planned?  If you’re looking for things to do while relatives or friends are in town to visit, here are a few ideas to get you started:

Nature’s Greatest Airshow – Hawk Watch at Hawk Mountain

When:  Now through December 15, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Where:  Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, 19529

Admission:  Monday-Friday: Adults $5, Seniors $4, Children (6 to 12) $3. Sat. & Sun. from Sept. through Nov. & Holidays: Adults & Seniors $7, Children (6 to 12) $3. Members always FREE.

Phone:  610-756-6961

This fall, visit scenic Hawk Mountain to see the amazing hawk migration.  Each year, an average 18,000 hawks, eagles and falcons pass Hawk Mountain overlooks on their journey south.  Bring binoculars and scan the sky.  Mid-October brings the peak of fall foliage.  Also enjoy the 8-mile trail system, Visitors Center, and education programs at this National Landmark.

Star Shows at the Reading Public Museum Planetarium

Date and Time:  Every Sunday: through December 27, 2010. “In My Backyard” is at 1pm, “IBEX: Search for the Edge of the Solar System” is at 2pm.

Location:  The Planetarium at the Reading Public Museum, 500 Museum Road, West Reading, 19611

Phone: 610-898-1565

“Discover What’s in My Backyard”, check out a favorite Star Show updated for The Planetarium’s digital technology.  Find out the reasons for the seasons, and learn about constellations.  Don’t miss the Sunday 2pm show, “IBEX: Search for the Edge of the Solar System.”  For a complete and up-to-date listing of the museum’s latest Star, SonicVision and Laser Shows, check their website’s calendar page.

Hockey:  Reading Royals vs. Cincinnati Cyclones

When:  Wednesday, November 24th and Friday, November 26th

Where:  The Sovereign Center, corner of 7th and Penn Streets

Come cheer on the Reading Royals as they face-off against the Cincinnati Cyclones.  Single-game tickets and Family Four-Packs are available on the Royals’ website.

In my search for something fun and different to do this weekend, I came across a listing for The Annual Stoudtburg Village Christmas in July festival.

Located in Adamstown, PA, the shops of Stoudtburg promise all the ambience of an old European village. While developers Carol and Ed Stoudt aren’t promising snow for this weekend, they guarantee a festive, holiday-like atmosphere – and some great sales. Check it out!

Festival Details
July 24, 2009 – July 26, 2009
ANNUAL STOUDTBURG VILLAGE CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Friday, July 24th to Sunday, July 26, 2009 from 10AM-5PM. Stoudtburg Village Shops, Adamstown